Top 10 Tips from Blue House International
We couldn’t have been more chuffed to be a part of the recent Blue House International School’s talk on Fussy Eaters last week, led by ex-British nanny cum education leader Shona Sanosi. If you weren’t part of the mum squad there, don’t fret. Here’s the skinny of what you missed – join us now and say ‘nuh uh’ to fussy eaters once and for all!
1. Be a good role model.
Do you eat on the run? Do you eat in front of the TV? When we get caught up in eating on the go or limit our diet, junior sees that. As parents, look at your own eating habits. What do your children see you eat? Where do you eat your meals? Do you have a passion for food? Children need a good role model.
2. Eliminate distractions.
Yup. That means the iPad, the TV and even toys at the table. While it may sound tough to initially wean the littlies off of external distractions, be firm. Instead, give them finger foods and utensils and encourage them to feed themselves. Both good and bad habits start from a young age.
3. Get the kids involved.
Do your kids think food comes from Kenny the Grocer or magically appears in the fridge? Involve your child in the process of shopping, unpacking, sorting and cooking as much as possible. Children need to see where the food comes from and that meals are not just something that appears at the table. Mealtime is more than just being about food. Ask them to help set the table, let them serve themselves from communal serving bowls in the middle of the table (let them control the amount of food they put on their plate), at breakfast time have the cereal packets on the table. Let them choose. By 18 months, they can butter their own bread. It might be messy, but your kids will start to enjoy their new independent and meal times.
4. Develop an interest in food in a non-threatening way.
Use imaginary play such as cooking, being a waiter or playing shop to chat about food in a less confrontational way. Blind tasting sessions are great fun for the whole family. Tactile play is another great way to create interest in food, play with warm spaghetti, use scissors to cut it. Let the kids play with real fruit and veg in their play kitchen. All this play time with food helps to remove the anxiety surrounding food and mealtimes – bingo!
5. Table manners starts at home.
If you want a child who knows how to behave in a restaurant you need to start at home. Be consistent in your approach. Train your helpers on what your expectations are and involve them in the process. Consistency all round is important. Lay the table, clear the table, stack the dishwasher, always have them ask to get down. If they choose that their mealtime is over, they cannot come back to the table, but encourage them to stay at the table until everyone is finished. Remind them to use their manners and always say ‘Thank you’ for dinner to whomever cooked it.
6. No more lonely meals.
Mealtimes should be a social occasion and children need to have company when they eat. Not just someone trying to shovel food into their mouth, but someone who is also eating, chatting and role modelling. Eat together as a family as much as possible and invite other children to eat with your child after play-dates. Try to eat the same kind of food from the same serving dish (always find a compromise). Try to sit down together for as many meals as possible.
7. Choose a suitable restaurant and plan ahead.
Don’t add stress by going to a non-friendly family restaurant but equally don’t just stick to those restaurants that have child menu’s and plastic cutlery. Choose restaurants that have great things to see and talk about with your family, like restaurants riverside or at the Polo Club or take them to teppanaki where the food is the entertainment! Of course bring your crayons and books, but as soon as the food arrives, take them away, they can resume these after the meal. And remember during mealtime you need to get off the phone, off your laptop (remember the first point – you are the role model!).
8. Keep it real.
When you are out and about have realistic expectations of your child. Mealtimes shouldn’t take forever- if your child is choosing not to eat do not sit with them for hours upon end. Be realistic and depending on their age if they haven’t eaten their meal after 20-30 minutes they are not going to. A shorter, more positive mealtime with a lesser quantity of food to finish is a better solution. If they haven’t finished, calmly remove their plate without fuss or reprimand. If the child is happy during a longer meal (45 mins), that’s fine. But if they’re not eating, then it’s time to call it quits.
9. Find recipes you all enjoy.
From the age of 1, there is no real reason why children and adults shouldn’t eat the same kind of food, the trick is to find recipes you all like to eat. Try dishes that kids can help make– like cheese pancakes, pizzas, tacos and fajitas! Remember point 3 – getting them involved in mealtimes means mealtimes are so much more fun. Share your favourite recipes with friends (and steal ideas when ever you can!)
10. Be positive, but don’t over do it.
Positive praise is important but don’t go over board with star charts and special rewards. Food is an emotional issue for most children – they know what parents want them to do. If the child knows it will stress mama out if they won’t eat, then they will use it. Lay low. Call their bluff. You gotta know when to hold them, and when to fold them.
Next month Shona will be talking to us about Jetlag and kids – and how to ensure you have a smooth holiday season when you travel with your little ones (pretty great timing right ahead of the silly season!?). Shona is not only a mother of twins and the head of Blue House Nursery & International School, she was also a professional globe-trotting nanny in the times pre-ipad and portable DVDs. If you want to find out the secret to successful travel – join us on this next talk on 26th November at 4pm – email Diana at [email protected] to reserve your seat (do get in quick, we’ve found these hot seats go fast!)
This article was supplied by Blue House International School. All image credits to Blue House International School.